Our History

The Weizmann Institute of Science, originally known as the Daniel Sieff Research Institute was founded in 1934 in Rehovot, Israel by Dr. Chaim Weizmann, a distinguished chemist, and later the first president of Israel. In 1949, to mark his 75th birthday, the Institute was renamed in his honour. Today it is recognised as a global leader in scientific discovery, and we are enormously proud that its origins lie in the United Kingdom. 

It all began with an early morning walk in London’s Hyde Park, when Chaim Weizmann met British businessman and philanthropist, Israel Sieff, to share his vision of a world-class scientific research centre among the orange groves of Rehovot. Thanks to their shared belief in science as a force for progress, and their remarkable generosity, the Daniel Sieff Research Institute was founded by Israel and Rebecca Sieff, in memory of their late son. 

Weizmann had already gained prominence in Britain during World War I, when his discovery of a bacterial fermentation process to produce acetone proved vital to the British war effort. His collaboration with the British government helped pave the way for the Balfour Declaration of 1917, linking science, diplomacy, and the foundations of modern Israel.

Weizmann’s years in England not only shaped his political and diplomatic path but also forged lasting academic ties. As a senior lecturer at the University of Manchester, he laid the foundations for enduring collaboration between the University and the Institute, reflected in the annual Weizmann Prize for Biochemistry still awarded there today.

In 1950, the Weizmann Institute Foundation was established in the UK to secure philanthropic support for the Institute’s pioneering research. Among its earliest supporters were some of Britain’s most respected philanthropic families, including the Sieffs, the Wolfsons, the Rothschilds and the Clores – whose generosity helped lay the foundations for decades of scientific excellence, and whose families are still involved today. Over the years, a growing community of visionary British supporters has come together to help Weizmann science thrive and make a lasting impact around the world.

In 2004 we rebranded as Weizmann UK to reflect our place among a global family of friends and supporters. Weizmann UK continues to play a crucial role in funding scientific research, educational initiatives, and international scientific collaborations.